Thursday, January 4, 1954

Jack muttered incoherent profanity as he took a drag of his cigarette. The memo in his hand made little sense to him, at least as far as an from an Executive’s viewpoint.

“There’s no way this garbage is legitimate,” he growled at Robert Maxwell, Chief Financial Officer of Ardent Motors.

Robert shook his head. “It appears that it is, Jack. I’ve gone over it with Jeffrey Moss three times already. He claims that, somewhere in all the Townsend archives, there’s a notarized copy of the loan paperwork.”

Jack slid the memo back onto the desk, took his glasses off, and with dramatic flair, tossed them onto the offending paper. “But you haven’t been able to find it. You’ve searched high and low, and all you have is Moss’s word that everything is on the level.”

“That,” Robert squirmed in his chair slightly, “and the regular monthly checks that have been coming in from Anhultz. All of which have cleared.”

“All of which are probably also drawing some rather curious attention from the government, I might add.” Jack took a pull on his cigarette until nothing remained but a long, limp trail of ash. He buried the butt in his crystal ash tray. Turning from Robert, he rose and walked to his dry bar. He grabbed an old fashioned glass, produced two cubes of ice from the silver bucket on top, and poured himself a generous helping of Kentucky bourbon from a crystal decanter. Reflexively, he swirled it twice and brought it to his nose for a sniff, before taking a sip.

“And this is the only irregularity you’ve found with the Townsend accounting?”

Robert shrugged. “The only one we can’t find the entire paper trail for, anyway. Moss has repeatedly claimed that the Townsend brothers weren’t exactly careful with their spending in the final years, and he has had to amend various statements multiple times. This is the only one that I can’t fully explain the reasoning for.”

Jack wandered to the window to the right of his desk. With his sleeve, he rubbed a circle of condensation away so he could overlook his dominion. A light dusting of snow covered Ardent’s original factory, with rows of vehicles in the holding yard beyond appearing as muted, multi-color mounds under a thin veil.

“It’s all idiotic if you ask me,” Jack added. “To be just coming out of the war, needing to convert rapidly back to regular production. And then giving up two hundred thousand dollars? To a foreigner? No, Robert. There’s something wrong with this.”

“Well what would you like me to do about it? As far as I can tell, they’ve never missed a payment.”

Jack turned on his heel, nearly splashing bourbon from his glass. “Wait a minute, what did you mean when you said the Townsend brothers weren’t careful with their money in the later years?”

Robert hesitated a moment. “Well, they often ordered more steel than they needed, or repeated invoices, things like that. They even brought Thomas’s granddaughter to Toledo a few times on the company’s dime.”

Jack nodded. “Not exactly what you should be using company funds for, not when you have your own private worth.” Jack furrowed his brow as he took another sip. “Did Moss say anything about ownership of Anhultz?”

“No. It was just a loan. Nothing more.”

Jack’s lip curled. “Not likely. How much is the principal at this point?”

“About a hundred fifty four thousand, give or take.”

That raised Jack’s eyebrow. “That’s not exactly a small chunk of change. This smells. Embezzlement, laundering, not sure what.”

“Again, Jack, what do you want me to do about it? Without those documents from the archive…”

Robert fell silent, cradling his chin in his hand and tapping his foot as his boss worked through it in his head.

Wednesday, March 10, 1954

Anhultz Corporate Headquarters

Willem van der Roest double-checked the address of his delivery. He stood before the corporate offices of Anhultz, a revered Dutch company. He sighed heavily before tucking the parcel under his arm and walking toward the front door. This was the most disdainful part of his job. He knew what was contained within, and it was something that would not be well received.

Such was a courier’s life. Occasionally that would require delivering legal summons. This one pained him particularly, as he and his wife had designs on purchasing an Anhultz Mimas of their own.

Willem entered the building and stepped to the receptionist’s desk. The woman behind the desk smiled and asked if she could help him.

“I have a delivery for Mr. Bastiaan Rynsburger,” he replied. She stood and smiled, ready to receive the package. He stopped her. “Unfortunately, I must deliver it to him in person, with his signature received.”

The receptionist paused, and gave a courteous nod, before sitting down and reaching for her phone. She dialed Mr. Rynsburger’s office and exchanged a brief conversation.

“Mr. Rynsburger is in a meeting, can I have his assistant help you?”

Willem pursed his lips and shook his head. “This must go either to Mr. Rynsburger or Mr. Anhultz.”

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Anhultz is not in today.”

“It is fine, I will wait for Mr. Rynsburger.”

The secretary nodded, and turned her attention back to the papers in front of her. Willem found a chair near the entrance door, and sat down with the package in his lap. He looked at his watch, then at the package. He noticed the secretary occasionally shooting him glances.

Fifteen minutes passed, and Willem began to fidget. The secretary looked up at him again, and smiled courteously when he caught her looking. She then put her head down and reached for her phone again. There was a quick, hushed exchange of words over the phone.

About five minutes later, Bastiaan Rynsburger emerged from a hallway. “What is going on here?” he asked.

Willem stood, pulling a small ledger from his coat. “Mr. Rynsburger, I have instructions that I am to deliver this personally to you,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “It is…” he stopped.

“It is what?” he looked around. “Why am I being pulled from a meeting for this?”

“It is a legal summons, Mr. Rynsburger. From the United States of America. I require your signature here that you have personally received this summons.”

…
“Okay… nothing we can’t deal with…”
Rynsburger signs the form required to authorize the delivery.

“Have a nice day then…” Willem stated, heading off to deliver the rest of his mail for his run.

Rynsburger headed back to his meeting disussing further plans on the Rotterdam factory currently under construction. Rynsburger opened the door to the meeting room and now had about two dozen faces staring at him, wondering what happened outside.

“End of meeting! For now at least…”, Rynsburger proclaimed loudly, while packing his stuff to head out.

A voice is heard from the back of the room: “What?? We aren’t even close to done with this!”

“I know… but more important stuff got in the way… we may or may not be in deep shit now…”, Rynsburger added to convey the importance without leaking too much info.

The attending employees decided to not further question it and just left the room.
Rynsburger then opens the letter, reads the court summons and is somewhere between confused and furious. He then heads out to the secretary:

“Frieda!”

“Yes? Mr. Rynsburger?”

“Where is Willem?”

confused “Which one?”

also confused “Wait… there’s another Willem?”

“The courier who has delivered the letter…”

“OOOHHH… Anyway… Mr. Anhultz… Where’s he at?”

“Frankfurt, sir. Presenting the Anhultz Mimas III to the public. Should be on his way here though.”

“Damn… send him to my office as soon as he gets back.”

“Will do.”

Rynsburger heads off to his office and immediately starts searching for any documents regarding the Townsend loan. Halfway through searching, Anhultz enters the room.

“I’ve been sent here. Whats going on?”

Rynsburger aborts the search and plops a stack of documents onto his desk. He then takes the letter and hands it over to Anhultz.

“Remember how Ardent bought out Townsend not too long ago?”

while reading the letter “Yes. Go on.”

“They unsurprisingly found the loan we’ve been repaying for almost a decade now. And they claim noney laundering or something… Long story short. They’re sueing.”

Anhultz puts the letter back into the envelope and chucks it towards the bin, missing it by about three feet.

angry “THE FUCK???”

“They’re reclaiming the debt immediately. About 154.000USD.”

“WHAT?? Just pay them and they’ll shut up…”

“About that… we can’t. Pretty much all of our surplus profit is currently going into the Rotterdam plant. I may be able to pluck some funds off the project to fund the lawyers and associated traveling and such, but instant repayment is a no from me…”

Anhultz definitly did not like this, especially since he was aware that Anhulltz always had payed the monthly installment in full and on time and thus had no fault regarding the loan.
Rynsburger continues with his half-finished document-scan.

“There’s some good news to it, though… As far as we should both be aware we did nothing wrong regarding paying back our loan. So we may have a good chance at winning this.”

“Are you sure about that? I mean… is there any proof to it?”

“You bet there is.”
Rynsburger goes back to his desk, adding another, much smaller stach of papers to the irst one.
“First off…”

He rummages in the pile a bit. Then he pulls out an old piece of paper, which doesn’t seem too special to Anhultz.
“…i have had a copy made of the original legal document containing the conditions of the loan. Also…”

Rynsburger divides the menaining stack into two.
“…those are the documentation papers proving date, time and amount of monthly payments going from us to Townsend. Or… Ardent, should i say…”

“Asshats. That’s the wording. We’re gonna fuck them up left, right and center. Here’s the deal. You go pluck some funds of the Rotterdam project. As much as i want to have that Factory finished, Anhultz also has to stay afloat as a company.
Meanwhile, i’ll get the lawyer stuff sorted.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

The two went to work. Adjusting funding on the Rotterdam proect was less of an this is impossible.kind of issue, but rather a this is not what we’d like to do-kind of issue.

Meanwhile, Anhultz sent a letter to McClendon & Co. Law Offices in New York requesting them to represent Anhultz.

I’ve got a question about the same light for brake and turn signal. It’s been the norm in the US, and still is, to just use a dual filament bulb to alternate between brake and signal functions. Should we not be allowed to have a single bulb for both since those exist?

If you want to get technical about it, the purpose of the dual filament is not for turn signals, but for the distinction between running lights and brake lights. It’s a relay that provides the flash function for the turn signals.

Also, in the era that we’re currently in, it is very common for there to be a visually separated turn signal light (either a separate fixture or part of the same fixture that is amber instead of red). This is true of all domestic marques of the era, and even more dramatic on imports. I’m being “lax” by allowing you to have the turn signal and brake light as part of the same, indistinguishable feature, as long as it has two or more bulbs.

Hopefully that satisfies your question.

(because otherwise I’m just going to say “no, because this is what I say you need for this round”)

Also, I think I’m going to need to put restrictions on Radial tires for the first few rounds. They were very costly, hard to find as replacements, and unpopular with the American populace until the late 60’s. American-based manufacturers may not use them (period) until 1970, and import brands may use them BUT will do so at a penalty (reflecting the disdain for the technology).

Wednesday, December 21, 1955, Bogliq HQ

Car Design Showroom

The Bogliq design room was uncommonly full this morning, three prominently placed vehicles (covered with thick cloth) in the centre of the room with a group of restless journalists milling about the room’s entrance. Three figures were standing in front of the cars; Konstantin Bogliq, Andrew Wilcox and an attractive young woman. As the clock struck 10:00AM, Konstantin stood forward and addressed the room:

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thankyou for joining me on this auspicious occasion as I present to you the culmination of six years of hard work and ingenuity. Today everyone here today will get to see and touch our new cars… That’s right, you all are invited to be the first to see the new Bogliq Automotive range!!!”

The journalists surged forward and Konstantin gestured for them to stop.

“Just hold on a second! Andrew, our Chief Designer, will now reveal each car, one by one, and he will explain the thought process behind each model… Andrew Wilcox, the floor is yours.”

Konstantin stepped back and Andrew took his place

“Thankyou Konstantin, and thankyou everyone for coming today. As Konstantin has said, I’ve been working on the new Bogliq range for over 5 years and these three are the culmination of my efforts… Starting with the Bogliq Bison!”

Nothing happens. Andrew frantically waves at the woman, who has zoned out…

“Angela, the sheet!!!”

Angela starts, straightens her blouse then deftly whisks off the cloth on the centre car.

“The Bison is my masterpiece. A sophisticated and elegant machine fit for the Atomic age, it’s powered by a silky smooth straight six and has a welcoming, comfortable interior. The automatic gearbox ensures that the driver can enjoy the trip without fuss and there is ample room for five adults. I believe that the Bison will turn heads and open wallets the moment the customer lays eyes on it.”

“Just like it’s namesake, the Bettong is cute, friendly and women love 'em! The Bettong has been conceived as an economical way for a family to purchase a second car for the wife. It still seats five, although not as comfortably as the Bison, and it has a sensible brace of engines, based on trim level, that are reliable and easy to control. The smooth shifting four, yes FOUR, speed manual gearbox ensures that the ladies keep their calves in great shape whenever they go to the mall or pick up the kids.”

Angela, unnoticed, gives Andrew a dirty look. Andrew continues…

“I believe that the Bettong will find many fans, especially those who cannot afford a Bison. Angela, next car please!”

“Last, nut not least, we have the Buffalo! I thought long and hard about the Utility market and noticed something… Utilities are ugly and conjure images of Communism and hicksville. I wanted to build a truck that the owner slash operator would be just as proud to be seen in at the church car-park as he is proud of it’s abilities when on the job. So, to achieve this, I’ve designed a truck that looks, feels and drives like a car while being able to carry over a tonne of payload! It can seat three, has an automatic gearbox to reduce workload and is powered by a high efficiency version of the Bison engine to reduce operating costs. This truck, my friends, is designed to do it all!!!”

Konstantin then steps up to Andrew and shakes his hand, stating…

“Thankyou Andrew for your stellar work! You’ll soon be sick of the sight of them all as Bogliq cars carve out a slice of the new car market for themselves! Now everyone gather round, take pictures and check 'em all out. I want you to get a really good idea of how great these new Bogliqs really are…”

And so the press conference ended; the journalists took pictures, wrote notes and raided the complimentary buffet while Konstantin and Andrew fielded questions about the new product. All, that is, except for one freelance hack who’d snuck a peek into the Prototype Room, taking some extra pics of a low slung, compact shape before returning to the main group undetected…

1956 - Bogliq USA launches long awaited domestic production
Up until 1956 Bogliq USA has subsisted on supplying trucks and generators via Marshall Plan contracts. However, since 1949, Bogliq has been developing and crafting a complete model line-up to bring the fight to Ardent; Bogliq’s CEO having vowed to take down their arch rival.
This line-up consisted of three separate models; the Bettong small car, Bison large car and the Buffalo utility.
1956 Bogliq Bettong
[Bogliq%20Bettong]
Betto…

The Arnette was first introduced in 1946 as Aldeane’s full-size luxury car. The 2nd generation was then introduced in 1951. On 15 May 1955, the 3rd generation Aldeane Arnette was introduced. On 18 November 1955, the Aldeane Bellevenue was introduced for the first time ever for the 1956 model year. The Bellevenue served as a mid-size premium and luxury sedan and the cheapest way to own an Aldeane (before the Oaker taking that role in the early 60s). See this? Aldeane Automobile Company was on a streak on this decade. . Gone were the days of the devastating WW2 days of 30s and the 40s. This was Aldeane’s roaring 50s But that’s not to say that there are no rivals.Luxury brands, come at us!

It took a few weeks of mailing back and forth to exchange enough information on the case and about how things were ran in the US. Part of this would be flying all the way there multiple times to attend the various hearings and the actual trial when/ if it’s held.

Evidence would have to be sent over to the US, and since Rynsburger and Anhultz both had little clue on US law, they decided to head over to New York as well to meet Gary McClendon in person.

The flight to New York was comfortable, but exhausting, leading to both Rynsburger and Anhultz taking a hotel and having a rest.

The next day, they met McClendon in his office.

They arranged to meet on a date that would be relatively close to the first hearing to prevent having to fly 34 hours more often than necessary.

Either way, the meeting was pleasant and productive, leading to them entering the case with the relative confidence a US-law noob like Anhultz and Rynsburger could have.

“The advertising work has been finished, Mr. Anhultz. We think it will positively affect sales of the depicted models. Here it is in case you want to have a look.”

A large sheet of billboard paper was placed onto Anhultz’s desk, with the above advertisement on it.
Anhultz had a quick glance and immediately noticed something off…

“Why is the Callisto on there blue?”
“Ehm… i don’t understand…”
“That fuckin’ truck! Why is it blue?!”
“Sir… we just did the requested advertisement based on whatever vehicles were provided to us…”
“So you’re telling me that the Callisto you got was blue?”
“Yes, sir.”

Anhultz furiously smashed his desk, visibly damaging it in the process.
“Aw fuck… need a new desk now…”

He then went back to his visitor.
“Anyway, do you think we can use this to at least try to establish a copmpany color?”
“We could try, but having three cars of the same color would still be better…”
“Fuck… it has to work like this. Cannot put more funds into redoing the entire campaign…
Have a good day then.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Anhultz.”

The unknown guest rolls up his paper and leaves the office. Annhultz immediately sets to work tracking down the employee responsible, which, given the decent documentation on company actions, was not a difficult task to accomplish.
Aforementioned employee was briskly fired by Anhultz, with his place now vacant.

Meta: Jack Chancellor has had Ardent sue Anhultz to call in the remainder of the loan balance. He thinks it’s fishy, plus… well… Jack likes money. He is going against the advice of his CFO and Townsend Coachworks Division president Jeffrey Moss…

Monday, October 17, 1955

Law Offices of Wright, Lowe, and Scaletta

“I can’t believe it’s come to this,” Jack snarled. On the table in front of him sat a response from McClendon & Co. Law Offices, the legal representatives of Anhultz. It appeared that they were not simply bluffing or stalling. They had steeled themselves for a fight, and an actual trial was all but inevitable.

Leo Scaletta, however, did not share the degree of incredulity that his client had in this matter. “Mr. Chancellor,” his voice was soft and calm. “You know that we continue to take this case in whatever direction that you wish, and our resolve in the matter will reflect your own. However, I will remind you that it is my personal belief that Jeffrey Moss was, indeed correct about the origination of the loan. And it would appear that Anhultz has notarized documentation. Now, I have to ask again. Has Mr. Maxwell found anything more from the Townsend archives?”

“No,” Jack snapped curtly.

Leo pursed his lips. “I see. Well, given what I have at my disposal, I would recommend that Ardent settle…”

“Don’t say that word ever again, Leo. We are not settling with those Dutch bastards.”

Leo nodded, fully expecting that answer. “Well, I’ll put in another motion for continuance. I can buy maybe a couple more months, but we’re looking at a trial sometime in December, most likely. And in the interest of being perfectly frank, Mr. Chancellor, Ardent is not likely to win.”

“I’ve heard that before,” Jack sneered. “I’ve been hearing that for twenty years. I didn’t get to where I am by listening to such nonsense.”

That implies you listen, you arrogant bastard, Leo thought to himself.

6 of 17 eligible companies have been processed for this round. One has been sent back for resubmission due to incorrect file naming convention.

Standing pridefully in the busy NYC skyline stands an impressive structure, Smaller than most of the buildings now dominating New Yorks unique and characterised skyline. What makes it unique is it’s impressive stature, with 24 floors and standing on a whole block. Instead of being taller and narrower it’s wide and shorter. It’s architecture taking inspiration from many European paths, with its tall pillars, and large crown sitting atop its an impressive structure. Silver-York Weren’t it’s original tenants however the company purchased the property in 1927 allowing them to begin the growth of the company

A particularly minimal boardroom stood on the 24th floor on the north-west corner of the property, with views out onto the built-up environment that is New York. The sky outside today is particularly dull, casting a grey tinge over the city dominated by earthy yellows and unique glows of the surrounding towers.Sitting centre in the office a long rectangular modernist table sat, around it several brown leather chrome framed chairs bear, with one especially unique sat at the end of the table, and in that seat sat CEO of Silver-York Oswell .J York Jr,

“Good morning gentleman, Thank you for being able to attend at such short notice.” Oswell conducted to his audience, Oswell spoke with a clean well-spoken accent, his voice resonating through the minimalist room, in front of him sat executives and department leaders, the meeting was to prepare for the company to enter the 3RD fiscal quarter of the year. The meeting was filled with gentleman all smartly dress, some filling the bright room with whistful smoke from cigars and pipes.

“I think it’s time we plan the future for the company, as you know we have planned several important tasks for the design department to hit over the next few years” Oswell’s gaze glanced over to the senior design manager indicating for him to elaborate.

“Yes, so we understand the success of our current designs and over the last 6 months we have been considering launching a new sedan line, especially since Silver-York will be turning 50 in two years, the project is to launch a sedan named Sovereign this was the most popular name choice from the public responses that we sent out, the Sedan would slot below the current coach-built 49 Series model, using the same engine and chassis it will be very similar in exterior design but will be slightly watered down and more conventional. The interior will still be as much a luxury product that we offer but won’t be as grand as the 49 but will slot higher in the range as the 30. With current design evolution we have conducted a couple of designs as well as generating some concepts for the upcoming Silver-Moto-Gala.” explained Henry, his voice was gritty fitting of his style a man of design but also of no bullshit, he was ruthless in his management style but he was one of the best in the industry his design touch was special.

“So… What your saying is that we are increasing product lineup?” asked one of the financial execs

“Yes, allowing us t…” Henry was sudden interrupted

“Is this really, the progress that we should be taking?.. It seems like we need to expand the companies portfolio and enter different markets rather than complicating the Silver-York lineup, we’ve been exploring the market and have found a couple of lesser-known but still popular car companies with a suitable portfolio to network into the Silver-York co.”

“As much as that’s wonderful don’t just interrupt me” Henry groaned

At the end of the table Oswell stood, he was a short man standing about 5’5, now in his 40s he was still relatively young for the industry. "Yes so expansion of both Silver-York as an individual company and as a mainstream company is significant, It’s not something I was willing to discuss but since it’s been brought up…

The conversation continued to progress about plans to expand the company and how performance over the last quarter has been

"FEBRUARY 12TH 1953, SILVER-YORK PURCHASES THE NOMAD GROUP, IN A SURPRISE MOVE BY THE LUXURY BRAND SILVER-YORK, RUMOURS HAVE BEEN GROWING ABOUT EXPANSION BY SILVER-YORK BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED. THIS TAKEOVER HAS FORMED THE SILVER-YORK MOTORING CORPORATION."

Friday, June 18th, 1954 - The wood paneled Office of the President of Earl Motor Company, Odin, Michigan.

Everett Earl, now thin and gray in his fifties, sits behind his huge but messy desk, and knocks back a glass of bourbon. Across the desk are his son, Lee Harvey Earl III, the short and stocky Vice President of Engineering, and “Big Ed” Pulaski, the loud, 6’ 3", Vice President of Design. All three had just left a meeting with marketing reflecting rather grim sales projections for the low price cars of the company, ones bearing the Earl name.

Everett: “Well that was quite a depressing affair.”

Lee: “No kidding. We’ve gotten complacent in the low price field - focused too much on Silverhare and Hirondelle. Everyone else has moved on to V8s, meanwhile with our sixes, we’re selling more Earls to fleets than to civilians.”

Ed: “BULLY! What we need is an injection of excitement to the Earl brand, my studio can easily throw some chrome and liven the new cars up!” He lights up a huge cigar.

Everett: “Lee, is it too late to change the styling and engines for the upcoming models?”

Lee: “We can’t change the dimensions and basic bodywork for the '55 and '56 models, but I suppose if Ed’s whole department gets on it, we could revise the chrome and paint. Engineering on the other hand, is tough. We had enough trouble redesigning the Dynaglide from the Hirondelle to fit in Silverhares and Earls last year.”

Everett: “Ed, will studio be able to do rush work on the Earls?”

Ed: “I don’t see why not, we’ve got the Hirondelles sorted out through '56, they’re beauties if I do say so myself. Hell, I even got some copy from Draper down in advertising right here”

Ed: “Too late kid, I already lined myself up.” Ed puffs his cigar into Lee’s face. “You’ll have to settle for number two.”

Everett: “Okay, what about the engines, Lee?”

Lee: “We won’t have time to design a new block… the best we can do is toss the Caliber V8 in there.”

Everett: “Goddamnit, pretty soon this company is only gonna have that one engine - whatever happened to brand distinction? We were stupid to drop the Hirondelle V12.”

Lee: “It’s okay dad, we have a whole new, bigger engine lined up for Hirondelle for '57. We just make sure the Earl, Silverhare, and Hirondelle versions of the Caliber are different sizes. It’s not like many are gonna sell anyway - I bet it’ll be like the convertible, or air conditioning - it’ll draw people in, but they’ll leave with the same six cylinder sedan they’ve always had.”

Ed: “Now that’s the spirit boy” Ed slaps his huge hand against Lee’s back “We’ll make a marketer outta you just yet!”

Please get them in, preferably sooner than later so I can spend less time after the deadline processing and more time writing reviews and turning over the round!

I’m not going to name names, but one person on that list has submitted their cars twice, both times with the incorrect file naming convention, and in a way that makes it impossible for me to tell in which category they want me to judge a couple of their cars. As a reminder: